Xdeck laptop/book-holder

ABSTRACT

A system and method for using a book/laptop stand is disclosed. The book/laptop stand comprises a short or tall stand, and a mounting deck. The mounting deck comprises a mounting platform, mounting platform coupler, slide clamps, and slide clamp slots. The mounting platform can both rotate and swivel 360°, and is attached to either of the stands by the mounting coupler. Both the height and width of either stand can be adjusted, with optional detents to fix at predetermined locations. The mounting coupler rotationally frictionally couples the mounting platform to the stands. The mounting platform includes slide clamps that are adjustable in location within slide clamp slots. Detents can also be provided for the mounting coupler. The slide clamps include a locking lever, attached to which are a rolling ball that allows users of the book/laptop stand to substantially easily turn pages of a book.

PRIORITY

This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) from U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/734,553, filed Nov. 8, 2005,the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to book and laptop holders. More particularly, theinvention relates to a system and method for holding a book or laptopsuch that a user, in a substantially supine position, can ergonomicallyread the book and/or operate the laptop.

2. Background Art

Book holders have been in existence for a very long period of time, andsome have been adopted and/or adapted for use with laptops.Traditionally, book holders are heavy, clumsy devices that are not veryergonomic, and have limited usefulness. For example, lecterns aretypical of known book holding devices that, while relatively useful forholding a book up at a height that is convenient when standing andlecturing, are far less useful when sitting at a table or desk, orreclining. Many different book holders have been developed over theyears in an attempt to improve these apparently relatively simplemechanical devices.

In addition, since the advent of the computer age, and especially sincethe widespread use of laptops, many of these known book stands or bookholders have been converted to use for laptops, or modified in minorways that did little to overcome the known shortcomings.

A first example of a computer stand is U.S. Pat. No. D410,910, issued toMartell on Jun. 15, 1999 (hereinafter the “'910 patent”). The computerstand illustrated in the '910 patent resembles early known book holdersin that it consists of a simple flat piece upon which the computerrests. It should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art ofthe present invention that “book holder” and “book stand” areinterchangeable, and the term “computer” includes or means “laptop.” The'910 patent further consists of a ledge to hold the computer upright,two legs and two base leg pieces. The base leg and legs can be adjustedto change the angle between them, from about 0° to about 90°, or alittle less. Anything approaching or exceeding 90° invites the computerto fall forward onto the user.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,512,542, issued to Black on Apr. 23, 1985 (hereinafterthe “'542 patent”), describes a book holder for holding a book in opencondition at a selected page. The book holder described in the '542patent comprises a pair of elongate limbs extending in oppositedirections from a central zone and terminating at their free ends inreversely turned, page engageable fingers extending alongside and spacedfrom the associated limb. The limbs are coupled together in such amanner as to enable them to be adjusted relative to each other and varythe distance between the fingers. Supporting legs may be connected tothe limbs to enable the book holder to support a book at an inclinationto the horizontal. The legs preferably are pivoted to one another and tothe limbs so as to enable the limbs and legs to be folded to asmall-size unit when the holder is not being used. Although the bookholder of the '542 patent can be folded up for storage, it suffers fromat least the shortcoming of not being adjustable in terms of holdingdifferent numbers of pages under the reversely turned page engageablefingers. In other words, the reversely turned page engageable fingersare a fixed height, and no adjustment of their height over the book canbe made. Furthermore, there is no mechanism for retaining a book—letalone a laptop—should the user wish to view the book (or laptop) at anangle greater than 90° from the horizontal.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,112,021, issued to Greene on May 12, 1992 (hereinafterthe “'021 patent”), discloses a bookholder device that includes a mainarm portion for hinged attachment to a wall (or alternatively, for freestanding support on the floor). A clutch assembly portion is attached tothe main arm, and releasably engages a rod member. A tray bracket ispivotally connected to the rod member, and further pivotally supports abook tray portion. This book tray supports the book in question by acombination of contact by a tray base, tray perimeter flanges, and aheight-adjustable tray crossmember. The book holder disclosed in the'021 patent is a large, unwieldy, mechanically complex apparatus thatmust be attached to a wall when the user is in a supine position.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,615,856, issued to Simington on Apr. 1, 1997(hereinafter the “'856 patent”), discloses a book-holder assembly thathas a first-side book-support plate and a second-side book-support platethat are oppositely disposed at a desired angle on a plate-connectingmember that is attachable to a connector bracket with which universalityof positioning is provided by stand means that are designedly foldableor optionally mobile. A first-side page holder that is adjustableseparately to thickness of page bunches and a first-side book holderthat is adjustable separately to book thicknesses are attachable to thefirst-side book-support plate. A second-side page holder that isadjustable separately to thickness of page bunches and a second-sidebook holder that is adjustable separately to book thicknesses areattachable to the second-side book-support plate. A first-sidebook-holder groove on a bottom side of the first-side book-support plateand a first-side adjustable clamp on a top side of the first-side booksupport plate provide linear book support on the first-side book-supportplate. A second-side book-holder groove on a bottom side of thesecond-side book-support plate and a second-side adjustable clamp on atop side of the second-side book support plate provide linear booksupport on the second-side book-support plate. The '856 patent, asidefrom its obvious mechanical complexity, suffers in that the page holdersare not substantially frictionless, and therefore it appears a userwould encounter significant resistance in turning and retaining pages ofa book. Further still, the book holder disclosed in the '856 patentwould be ill suited for holding laptops.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,857, issued to Holm on Nov. 9, 1999 (hereinafter the“'857 patent”), discloses an adjustable book holder that can be attachedto a stand to permit hands-free reading and hand-assisted page turningin a sitting or reclining position. The book holder of the '857 patentprovides for a one piece book support shelf and back of rigid material,such as a molded clear plastic or metal, onto which a book is securedand one or more pages are held open and flat by a single length ofmonofilament line attached to opposite sides of a swing arm held in aclosed position. A swing arm in the open position allows unobstructedpage turning after which the swing arm is returned to the closedposition. The swing arm is held in the closed position by free swinginglatches fastened to the swing arm and turned up behind the book supportback. The swing arm is moved to the open position by pushing backagainst the swing arm which removes the pressure against the latchesallowing the latches to drop clear. The swing arm is rotated down untilparallel with the bottom of the book support shelf, limited by a stoprigidly connected to the bottom center of the swing arm and with thestop extension in contact with the underside of the book supportbracket. In this position the monofilament line is below the booksupport shelf and the book page can now be turned. The swing arm is thenreturned to the closed position. The book holder disclosed in the '857patent is ill suited for holding a laptop, or for even holding a booksuch that a user can read it while substantially supine.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,027,092, issued to Gordon on Feb. 22, 2000 (hereinafterthe “'092 patent”), discloses a book stand with a base adapted to fitunder a person's leg, a first arm pivotally connected to the base, asecond arm telescopically attached to the first arm, and a book rackpivotally mounted on the second arm for supporting a book. An I-shapedpage retainer is pivotally mounted on the rack and includes laterallyextending upper and lower fingers for holding opposing pages of the bookopen for reading. The page retainer includes telescoping segments suchthat the distance between the fingers can be adjusted to accommodatedifferent size books. A book light optionally can be attached to thebook rack for lighting the pages. The book holder disclosed in the '092patent is ill suited for holding a laptop, or for even holding a booksuch that a user can read it while substantially supine.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,083,155, issued to Smartt on Aug. 1, 2006 (hereinafterthe “'155 patent”), discloses a bookstand that has a pivotallyadjustable book holder having a frame with upper and lower booksupporting plates slidable across each other to provide a booksupporting surface of variable size for supporting spines and rearcovers of open books of different sizes. The upper plate has a clasp fora central upper edge of an open book and the lower plate has a lowerledge supporting a lower edge of the book and formed with differentlyspaced sockets receiving plugs to trap open stacks of pages on bothsides of an open book by engaging outermost pages exposed for reading,even when a reader is supine. Removing and transferring plugs betweensockets releases trapped pages for turning and transfer of plugs betweensockets accommodates progressive changes in cumulative total thicknessof the stacks of pages on respective opposite sides of the book as thepages are turned during reading. While the book holder disclosed in the'155 patent can allegedly be used to hold a book while the user issupine, such an operation would be unwieldy, and particularly ill suitedfor use in retaining a laptop while the user is in the supine position.

Thus, a need exists for a combined laptop and book holder that ismechanically simple to set up and adjust, can be used when the user isin a vertical or a substantially supine position, and allows the user tomove pages in a book substantially easily, yet retain the book orlaptop.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a general object of the invention to provide a combinedbook holder and laptop holder that will obviate or minimize problems ofthe type previously described.

It is an object of the invention to provide a combined book holder andlaptop holder that is mechanically simple to set up, and allows a userto be in a vertical position, a substantially supine position, or anyposition in between, and yet still be able to effectively andefficiently use the combined book holder and laptop holder apparatus.

It is another object of the invention to provide a combined book holderand laptop holder that allows a user to retain books and laptops in sucha manner that they are securely held, even when the user is in asubstantially supine position.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a combined bookholder and laptop holder that allows the user to retain a book in anyposition, yet still be able to easily turn the pages of the book, andnot have the book fall off, or out of, or become dislodged from thecombined book holder and laptop holder.

The above described disadvantages are overcome and a number ofadvantages are realized by a first aspect of the present inventioncomprising a stand for use in holding a viewable object for a user, thestand comprising a base; a mounting platform that includes a pluralityof slots and a plurality of clamps, wherein each slot contains a clamp,and further wherein the clamp is configured to secure the viewableobject to the generally x-shaped mounting platform, and wherein, each ofthe clamps includes a locking lever, and further wherein each lockinglever includes a roller configured to allow a user to move a portion ofthe viewable object when desired; and a mounting platform couplerconfigured to frictionally engage the generally x-shaped mountingplatform at a user selectable angle to the base.

The stand according to the first aspect of the present invention furtherincludes a mounting platform that is generally x-shaped, and wherein themounting platform comprises: a first substantially planar surfaceconfigured to hold the viewable object in a planar relationship with theuser; and a second substantially planar surface substantially parallelto the first substantially planar surface; and a recessed area formedbetween the first and second substantially planar surfaces, wherein therecessed area is configured to ventilate excess heat generated by theviewable object. In the stand according to the first aspect of thepresent invention, the mounting coupler is configured to frictionallyengage the base at any one of a set of predetermined detent angles, andthe base is configured to be adjusted in width and/or height, andfurther wherein a plurality of detent angles and positions are providedto adjust the width and/or height of the base.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the standfurther comprises an adjustable stabilizer armature adjustable in heightabove the base, wherein the adjustable stabilizer armature is configuredto provide a wedging force to an underside of an object such that thestand is substantially stable and is substantially incapable of tipping,swaying or leaning as a result of securing the viewable object to themounting platform.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the basecomprises a first and second L-shaped cross bar, the first and secondL-shaped cross bars including a first end and a second end; and a firstand second base leg, the first and second base legs including asubstantially horizontal portion and an angled portion, and wherein thefirst and second base legs are configured to frictionally engage thefirst end of the first and second L-shaped cross bars at the angledportion of the first and second base legs, and wherein the first andsecond L-shaped cross bars are configured to frictionally engage eachother at their respective second ends. Still further, according to thefirst aspect of the present invention, the angled portion of the firstand second base legs can be formed at an angle from about 48° to about68° with respect to the substantially horizontal portion, the angledportion of the first and second base legs can be formed at an angle fromabout 53° to about 63° with respect to the substantially horizontalportion, and wherein the angled portion of the first and second baselegs can be formed at an angle of about 58° with respect to thesubstantially horizontal portion.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the base furthercomprises a rotational coupler configured to rotationally couple thesubstantially horizontal portion to the angled portion of each of thefirst and second base legs, and wherein the angled portion of the firstand second base legs are configured to be adjusted at a plurality ofangles, and wherein a plurality of detent angles are provided to adjustthe angled portion of the first and second base legs. In the standaccording to the first aspect of the present invention, the detentangles are substantially equally spaced at about 5° apart, or the detentangles are not substantially equally spaced apart.

Still further according to the first aspect of the present invention,the first and second cross bars are replaced by a single cross barhaving a first and second end, and the single cross bar is configured tofrictionally engage the angled portion of the first and second baselegs, and the stand further means for adjusting a width of the stand.The means for adjusting the width of the stand according to the firstaspect of the present invention comprises adjustment of the frictionalengagement at the second ends of the first and second L-shaped crossbars thereby adjusting the distance between the first and second baselegs.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the basecomprises a substantially “[” shaped cross bar, wherein the cross barincludes a first and second end, and a first and second base leg, thefirst and second base legs including a substantially horizontal portionand an angled portion rotationally coupled to the substantiallyhorizontal portion, and wherein the first and second base legs areconfigured to frictionally engage the first and second end of thesubstantially “[” shaped cross bar at the angled portion of the firstand second base legs respectively.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, thesubstantially “[” shaped cross bar comprises a first and secondsubstantially “L” shaped cross bar part, each of the first and secondcross bar part comprising a first and second end; and a substantiallystraight cross bar part, the substantially straight cross bar partcomprising a first and second end, wherein, the first end of the “L”shaped cross bar parts are configured to frictionally engage the angledportion of the first and second base leg, respectively, and the secondend of the “L” shaped cross bar parts are configured to frictionallyengage the first and second end of the substantially straight cross barpart, respectively.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the angledportion of the first and second base legs can be rotated to form anangle from about 48° to about 68° with respect to the substantiallyhorizontal portion, or the angled portion of the first and second baselegs can be rotated to form an angle from about 53° to about 63° withrespect to the substantially horizontal portion, or the angled portionof the first and second base legs can be rotated to form an angle ofabout 58° with respect to the substantially horizontal portion. Stillfurther according to the first aspect of the present invention, theangled portion of the first and second base legs are configured to beadjusted at a plurality of angles, and wherein a plurality of detentangles are provided to adjust the angled portion of the first and secondbase legs, and wherein the detent angles are substantially equallyspaced at about 5° apart, or wherein the detent angles are notsubstantially equally spaced apart, and still further wherein each ofthe first and second base legs are further configured to rotationallyfold together such that the substantially horizontal portion and theangled portion are substantially parallel and adjacent one another.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the angledportion of each of the first and second base legs further comprise afirst outer tube, a first inner tube spring coupled to the first outertube, and a twist lock configured to retain the first inner tube at auser selectable height with respect to the first outer tube as a resultof the spring force applied by the spring between the first outer tubeand the first inner tube. According to the first aspect of the presentinvention, the base further comprises a rotational coupler configured torotationally couple the substantially horizontal portion to the angledportion of each of the first and second base legs.

In the stand according to the first aspect of the present invention, theuser can occupy a range of positions from a substantially supineposition to a substantially sitting up position.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the standfurther comprises means for adjusting a width of the stand, and themeans for adjusting the width of the stand comprises means for adjustingthe width of the “[” shaped cross bar. The means for adjusting the widthof the “[” shaped cross bar according to the first aspect of the presentinvention comprises a first and second substantially “L” shaped crossbar part, each of the first and second cross bar part comprising a firstand second end, and a substantially straight cross bar part, thesubstantially straight cross bar part comprising a first and second end,wherein, the first end of the “L” shaped cross bar parts are configuredto frictionally engage the angled portion of the first and second baseleg, respectively, and the second end of the “L” shaped cross bar partsare configured to frictionally engage the first and second end of thesubstantially straight cross bar part, respectively. According to thefirst aspect of the present invention, adjustment of the width of the“[” shaped cross bar comprises adjustment of the frictional engagementat the second end of the first L-shaped cross bar and the substantiallystraight cross bar, or, adjustment of the frictional engagement at thesecond end of the second L-shaped cross bar, or adjustment of thefrictional engagement at the second end of the 1^(st) L-shaped cross barand the substantially straight cross bar, and adjustment of thefrictional engagement at the second end of the 2^(nd) L-shaped cross barand the substantially straight cross bar.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the plurality ofslots comprises a first upper pair of slots, each of the respectiveupper pair of slots having both a substantially horizontal portion, andan angled portion that is formed at about a 45° angle with respect tothe substantially horizontal portion, and a second lower pair of slots,each of the respective lower pair of slots having both a substantiallyhorizontal portion, and an angled portion that is formed at about a 140°angle with respect to the substantially horizontal portion. Stillfurther according to the first aspect of the present invention, eachroller comprises a substantially spherical ball rotationally attached tothe respective locking lever, or each roller comprises a substantiallycylindrical rolling cylinder rotationally attached to the respectivelocking lever, or still further the roller comprises a frictionallyreduced surface attached to the respective locking lever.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the viewableobject comprises a laptop computer, and wherein the slots are configuredto allow a user to adjust the clamps to accommodate a plurality ofdifferent sized laptops. According to the first aspect of the presentinvention, the stand further comprises a removable strap attached to themounting platform, and configured to segregate a user selectable portionof the viewable object, the viewable object comprises a book, and theuser selectable portion comprises at least one page of the book.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method isprovided for enabling a user to hold and view a viewable object in astand, wherein the stand comprises a base, a generally x-shaped mountingplatform that includes a plurality of slots and clamps, the clampsincluding locking levers with rollers, the stand further comprising amounting platform coupler, wherein the method comprises providing a userwith the stand, and wherein the user employs the stand to hold andadjustably view the viewable object by adjusting a height of the base;coupling the generally x-shaped mounting platform to the base;positioning the viewable object onto the generally x-shaped mountingplatform; clamping the viewable object onto the mounting platform withthe clamps; adjusting a viewing angle of the mounting platform withrespect to the user using the mounting platform coupler; and moving afirst portion of the viewable object from a first and second clamp to athird and fourth clamp by rolling the first portion out from under thefirst and second clamp and inserting and rolling the first portion underthe third and fourth clamps, such that a second and subsequent portionsof the viewable object can now be viewed, and wherein the second andsubsequent portions of the viewable object and the viewable objectremains substantially undisturbed while the first portion is beingmoved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the methodfurther comprises isolating a user-selected portion of the viewableobject with a removable strap attached to the generally x-shapedmounting platform, adjusting a width of the stand, and wherein the useris substantially supine.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, each rollercomprises a substantially spherical ball rotationally attached to therespective locking lever, or each roller comprises a substantiallycylindrical rolling cylinder rotationally attached to the respectivelocking lever, or wherein the roller comprises a frictionally reducedsurface attached to the respective locking lever.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the methodfurther comprises segregating a user selectable portion of the viewableobject with a removable strap attached to the mounting platform, andwherein the viewable object comprises a book, and the user selectableportion comprises at least one page of the book. The viewable objectaccording to the second aspect of the present invention comprises alaptop, wherein the step of moving a first portion is not performed, andwherein the method further comprises adjusting the position of one ormore of the clamps within their respective slots to allow a user toaccommodate a plurality of different sized laptops.

Still further according to the second aspect of the present inventionthe method further comprises adjusting the position of one or more ofthe clamps within their respective slots to allow a user to accommodatea plurality of different sized books, and wherein the step of adjustingthe height of the base comprises raising the height of the base byloosening a twist lock on the base to allow the user to raise the heightof the base, and lowering the height of the base by loosening the twistlock on the base to allow the user to lower the height of the base.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the baseincludes a first and second base leg, each of the base legs includingthe twist lock, a first outer tube and a first inner tube, and a springcoupled between the first outer tube and the first inner tube, andwherein the steps of raising and lowering the height of the basecomprises raising the inner tube up in relation to the outer tube via anexpansion force provided by the spring, and lowering the inner tube inrelation to outer tube by preventing the inner tube from dropping viathe expansion force provided by the spring.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the methodfurther comprises lifting an adjustable stabilizer armature against anunderside of an object, thereby providing a wedging force such that thestand is substantially stable and substantially incapable of tipping,leaning or swaying with the viewable object mounted on the mountingplatform.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a method isprovided for using a stand to hold and view a viewable object, whereinthe stand comprises a base, a generally x-shaped mounting platform thatincludes a plurality of slots and clamps, the clamps including lockinglevers with rollers, the stand further comprising a mounting platformcoupler, the method comprising adjusting a height of the base, couplingthe generally x-shaped mounting platform to the base, positioning theviewable object onto the generally x-shaped mounting platform, clampingthe viewable object onto the mounting platform with the clamps,adjusting a viewing angle of the mounting platform with respect to theuser using the mounting platform coupler, and moving a first portion ofthe viewable object from a first and second clamp to a third and fourthclamp by rolling the first portion out from under the first and secondclamp and inserting and rolling the first portion under the third andfourth clamps, such that a second and subsequent portions of theviewable object can now be viewed, and wherein the second and subsequentportions of the viewable object and the viewable object remainssubstantially undisturbed while the first portion is being moved.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the methodfurther comprises isolating a user selected portion of the viewableobject with a removable strap attached to the generally x-shapedmounting platform, and adjusting a width of the stand. According to thesecond aspect of the present invention, the user is substantiallysupine. Each roller in the stand according to the third aspect of thepresent invention comprises a substantially spherical ball rotationallyattached to the respective locking lever, or a substantially cylindricalrolling cylinder rotationally attached to the respective locking lever,or wherein the roller comprises a frictionally reduced surface attachedto the respective locking lever.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the methodfurther comprises segregating a user selectable portion of the viewableobject with a removable strap attached to the mounting platform, andwherein the viewable object comprises a book, and the user selectableportion comprises at least one page of the book.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the viewableobject comprises a laptop, wherein the step of moving a first portion isnot performed, and wherein the method further comprises adjusting theposition of one or more of the clamps within their respective slots toallow a user to accommodate a plurality of different sized laptops. Themethod according to the third aspect of the present invention furthercomprises adjusting the position of one or more of the clamps withintheir respective slots to allow a user to accommodate a plurality ofdifferent sized books, and the step of adjusting the height of the basecomprises raising the height of the base by loosening a twist lock onthe base to allow the user to raise the height of the base, and loweringthe height of the base by loosening the twist lock on the base to allowthe user to lower the height of the base.

Still further according to the third aspect of the present invention,the base includes a first and second base leg, each of the base legsincluding the twist lock, a first outer tube and a first inner tube, anda spring coupled between the first outer tube and the first inner tube,and wherein the steps of raising and lowering the height of the basecomprises raising the inner tube up in relation to the outer tube via anexpansion force provided by the spring, and lowering the inner tube inrelation to outer tube by preventing the inner tube from dropping viathe expansion force provided by the spring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features and advantages of the present invention will best beunderstood by reference to the detailed description of the preferredembodiments that follows, when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a XDeck book/laptop holdershort stand (short stand) according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the short stand shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the short stand shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the short stand shown in FIG. 1

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the short stand shown in FIG. 1 in anexpanded configuration.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate perspective views of an XDeck book/laptopholder tall stand (tall stand) according to another embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6C illustrates a perspective view of a tall stand with anadjustable stabilizer armature providing a wedging stabilizing force forthe tall stand under a piece of furniture according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of the tall stand shown in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the tall stand shown in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of the tall stand shown in FIG. 6A.

FIGS. 10A-F illustrate perspective views of several differentembodiments of a tall stand according to further embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate front perspective views of a mountingplatform according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates a rear perspective view of the mounting platformshown in FIGS. 11A and 11B.

FIG. 13 illustrates a front view of the mounting platform shown in FIGS.11A and 11B.

FIGS. 14A-D illustrate several left side views of several embodiments ofthe mounting platform shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B.

FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view of slide clamps on a mountingplatform according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 illustrates a side view of the slide clamps and mountingplatform shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 17A illustrates a side view of the slide clamp shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 17B illustrates an expanded side view of an outermost portion ofthe slide clamp shown in FIG. 17A illustrating a rolling ball accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18A illustrates an expanded side perspective view of the slideclamp shown in FIG. 15.

FIGS. 18B and 18C illustrate additional embodiments of a rolling ballused in the locking lever illustrated in FIG. 15 according to additionalembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 19 illustrates a perspective view of a mounting coupler in an openconfiguration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 illustrates a perspective view of the mounting coupler shown inFIG. 19 in a coupled configuration according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 21 illustrates a side view of the mounting coupler shown in FIG. 19attached to the mounting platform shown in FIG. 11 according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 illustrates an expanded side view of the mounting coupler shownin FIG. 19.

FIG. 23A illustrates a front view of a book strap according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23B illustrates a front view of a book strap according to analternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24A illustrates a front perspective view of the book strap shown inFIG. 23 restraining pages of a book according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 24B illustrates a front perspective view of a book and the bookstrap shown in FIG. 24A attached to the mounting platform shown in FIG.11 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 25A-S illustrate several additional embodiments of a mountingplatform according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 26 and 27 illustrate a front and side view of short standaccording to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a flow chart of a method for using the XDeck book/laptopstand according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 illustrates a front perspective view of the XDeck book/laptopstand retaining a laptop according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 30 illustrates a front perspective view of the XDeck book/laptopstand retaining a book according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 31 illustrates an XDeck book/laptop short stand on a bed retaininga book for use while the user is in a substantially supine positionaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 32 illustrates an XDeck book/laptop tall stand adjacent to a bedfor use while the user is in a substantially supine position accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The various features of the preferred embodiments will now be describedwith reference to the drawing figures, in which like parts areidentified with the same reference characters. The following descriptionof the presently contemplated best mode of practicing the invention isnot to be taken in a limiting sense, but is provided merely for thepurpose of describing the general principles of the invention.

I. Summary of the Several Embodiments of the Invention

The XDeck book/laptop (book/laptop) stand 34 disclosed herein comprisestwo main components: a stand 10, 60, and a mounting deck 12. Mountingdeck 12 comprises several major sub-components: mounting platform 2,slide clamps 4, slide clamp slots 6, and mounting platform coupler 8.Book/laptop stand 34 comprises at least two different embodiments: Ashort stand 10 and a tall stand 60. According to a preferred embodimentof the present invention, short stand 10 can be used by users whenlaying down, either partially or in a fully supine position, in bed, ona couch, the floor, or other locations. Similarly, tall stand 60 can beused when sitting in a chair, in a substantially supine position on abed, standing, or other locations. Mounting platform 2, attached toeither short or tall stand 10, 60, is adjustable to substantially anyangle of inclination between the stands 10, 60 and the user, and isfurther configured to retain book 50 or laptop 52 securely, also at anangle of inclination. Further still, book/laptop stand 34 according toan embodiment of the present invention allows users to turn the pages ofbooks substantially easily, without fear of dropping the book, even whenthe book is facing straight down over the user.

Book/laptop stand 34 allows users of laptop computers 52, readers ofbooks 50, electronic book devices (e-books, i.e. Sony Reader), andconsole videogame (i.e. Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation2, andPlayStation3) players the widest available range of body positions whileinteracting with the above-mentioned media or equipment—from seatedupright to substantially or fully supine. Users of the book/laptop stand34 benefit tremendously by virtue of its adjustability, as the devicecan quickly and safely be adjusted to a comfort-enhancing position.

II. Stands

A. Short Stand 10

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a book/laptop holder shortstand (short stand) 10 according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, short stand 10 comprises a pluralityof short stand components 15 a-f. First and second short standcomponents 15 a, b are substantially horizontally inclined, intended torest on the floor, sofa, or bed within which a user is either seated,reclining or laying down (or somewhere in between these positions).Attached to distal ends of first and second short stand components 15 a,b respectively are rotational couplers 62 a, b, to which are attachedfourth and sixth short stand components 15 d, f. Fourth and sixth shortstand components 15 d, f can therefore rotate to approximately any anglewith respect to first and second short stand components 15 a, b becauseof rotational couplers 62 a, b.

According to alternative embodiments of the present invention,rotational couplers 62 a, b can be provided with detents at pre-setangles, or can be detent-free. Some examples of pre-set detent anglesare detents set at every 5°, 10° or even 15°. The angles between detentsneed not be substantially the same, for example, there can be a firstdetent at 5°, then another at 15°, the third at 25°, and so on.Alternatively, rotational couplers 62 a, b can be detent-free, rotatingsmoothly and can be set at nearly any desired angle. Further still, evenwith the preset detents, the rotational couplers 62 a, b can be smoothlyadjustable between the pre-set detent angles.

Slidingly engaged to first and second short stand components 15 a, b arethird and fifth short stand components 15 c, e. Third and fifth shortstand components 15 c, e are fixedly and rotationally engaged withfourth and sixth short stand components 15 d, f. By virtue of thesliding engagement fixture between third and fifth short standcomponents 15 c, e and first and second short stand components 15 a, b,and further because third and fifth short stand components 15 c, e areattached to fourth and sixth short stand components 15 d, f, the weightof a laptop 52 or book 50 will be directly transferred to thehorizontally inclined first and second short stand components 15 a, b.At the upper end of third and fifth short stand components 15 c, e arelocated flip lock levers 17 a, b respectively. Flip lock levers 17 a, bsecure third and fifth short stand components 15 c, e in place alongfourth and sixth short stand components 15 d, f such that any desiredangle θ can be formed between first and fourth short stand components 15a and 15 d, and between second and sixth short stand components 15 b and15 f (as shown in FIG. 3), thereby adjusting the height of short stand10. Loosening first and second flip lock levers 17 a, b and then pushingthe top portion of third and fifth short stand components 15 c, etowards rotational couplers 62 a, b folds stand 34 substantially flat,for ease of storage.

At an upper end of fourth and sixth short stand components 15 d, f arefirst and fourth twist locks, 16 a, d, respectively, which engage andretain first and second L-shaped armatures 14 a, b, respectively. Twistlocks 16, as those of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate, permittwo separate components to be joined together. The twist locks allow afirst component to slide within or alongside a second component when thetwist lock is in a loosened state, and then, once relative positioningof the first and second components is complete, the twist lock can betightened coupling the two components together. The aforementioneddescription of twist locks is merely illustrative, and not meant to belimiting, and all different means for twist-locks known are consideredto be included within the various embodiments of the present invention.At a distal end of first and second L-shaped armatures 14 a, b aresecond and third twist locks 16 b, c that engage sixth short standcomponent 15 g. Coupled to sixth short stand component 15 g is mountingplatform 2 via mounting coupler 8, both of which are described ingreater detail below. The net effect of twist locks 16 a, d, and firstand second L-shaped armatures 14 a, b is to give the user the ability toadjust the height of short stand 10 to a desired height within thedesign limits of the components.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when auser wants to read a book 50 using book/laptop stand 34, the user placesbook 50 onto mounting platform 2, and secures it with clamps 4 a-d, asmore fully described in detail below. To obtain the most proper bookheight, third and fifth short stand components 15 c, e are manipulatedto push the angle between horizontal and angled portions (the anglebetween first and fourth short stand components 15 a, d and betweensecond and sixth short stand components 15 b, f to about 58°. Flip locks17 a, b are then used to lock the third and fifth short stand components15 c, e at the desired position, thereby setting a desired angle betweenfirst and fourth short stand components 15 a, d, and between second andsixth short stand components 15 b, f. To fine tune the height of book 50on book/laptop stand 34, the user can then extend the telescopingL-shaped armatures 14 a, b to the desired height.

According to further alternative embodiments of the present invention,pre-set detents can be provided between fourth short stand component 15d and first L-shaped armature 14 a, and between sixth short standcomponent 15 f and second L-shaped armature 14 b. The pre-set detents(at 0.5″, 1.0″, or other increments), can assist a user with safely andquickly adjusting the height of short stand 10. Further still, heightadjustment can be further assisted with the inclusion of two springs(one on each side) to assist user in raising the height of short stand10, and substantially preventing short stand 10 from being lowered toorapidly because of a heavy laptop 52. In place of springs, analternative embodiment of the present invention can utilize pneumaticcylinders to assist a user with safely and quickly adjusting the heightof short stand 10.

For example, as seen in FIG. 3, which is a side view of short stand 10,the user can raise short stand 10 to a height of about 12″-14″. In FIG.5, which is a side view of short stand 10 in an expanded configuration,the user has raised the height to about 24″-30″. As those of ordinaryskill in the art can appreciate, any desired height of short stand 10can be accomplished by suitable sizing of short stand components 15 a-g,use of flip lock levers 17 a, b, and use of telescoping L-shapedarmatures 14 a, b.

Furthermore, the width of short stand can be changed through use ofsecond and third twist locks 16 b, c and sixth short stand component 15g. By loosening either or both second or third twist locks 16 b, c,sixth short stand component 15 g can then be retracted into, orextracted from, either or both first and second L-shaped armatures 14 a,b. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a typical user,laying down in bed, will adjust their short stand to a height of about12″-14″, and a width of about 28″. The length of each of first andsecond short stand components 15 a, b, according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention, is about 24″. While the preferredembodiment of the present invention incorporates short stand component15 g of 20″ in length, alternate embodiments could incorporate shortstand component 15 g of shorter or longer lengths. Furthermore, shortstand component 15 g could be made up of multiple interlocking pieces.FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of short stand 10, and FIG. 4illustrates a top view of short stand 10 shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 26 illustrates a front view of a different version of short stand10 (hereinafter referred to as “short stand 10′”) according to anotherembodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 27 is a side view of shortstand 10′. Short stand 10′ looks similar to short stand 10, but is madeup slightly different components. Short stand 10′ comprises first andsecond short stand components 15 a′, b′ that have both a substantiallyhorizontal and an angled portion. Thus, the angle between the horizontaland angled portions of short stand components 15 a′, b′ of short stand10′, according to an embodiment of the present invention, can be fixedat the time of manufacture. According to a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, the angle between the substantially horizontalportion and angled portion of first and second short stand component 15a′, b′ is about 58°. According to a further embodiment of the presentinvention, rotational couplers 62 a, b can be inserted between thehorizontal and angled portions of short stand components 15 a′, b′,thereby allowing the angle between the horizontal and angled portions tobe adjustable, either continuously, or with the use of detents, atpreset variable or constant angles. Short stand 10′ further comprisesfirst and third twist locks 16 a′, c′, which are engaged with first andsecond L-shaped armatures 14 a′, b′. However, instead of there being anadditional short stand component 15 g′ between first and second L-shapedarmatures 14 a′, b′, they are connected via second twist lock 16 b′.Mounting platform 2 is attached to either of first and second L-shapedarmatures 14 a′, b′ via mounting coupler 8. FIG. 27 illustrates a sideview of short stand 10′ with laptop 52 retained securely thereon. Theuse of detents and springs as previously described in regard to shortstand 10 applies equally as well to short stand 10′.

An alternative embodiment of either short stand 10 or 10′ incorporatesadjustable reading light(s) (L.E.D. or halogen, among otherpossibilities) into short stand components 15 a, b and/or 15 d, f asdepicted in FIG. 1. These lights could be powered by, for example,batteries or ordinary household electrical service (120-volt AC).

FIG. 29 illustrates a front perspective view of the XDeck book/laptopstand 34 retaining laptop 52 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. Laptop 52 is held by clamps 4 a-d securely in place so that auser can ergonomically lay in a substantially supine configuration andoperate laptop 52 with ease and comfort. FIG. 30 illustrates a frontperspective view of the XDeck book/laptop stand 34 retaining book 50according to an embodiment of the present invention. Book 50 is held byclamps 4 a-d securely in place so that a user can ergonomically lay in asubstantially supine configuration and read book 50 in ease and comfortwith the user's head substantially flat on the surface upon which theuser lays. Also shown in FIG. 30 is book strap 54, discussed in greaterdetail below, that aids in retaining book 50 against mounting platform 2according to an embodiment of the present invention.

B. Tall Stand 60

FIG. 6A illustrates a perspective view of book/laptop holder tall stand(tall stand) 60 according to another embodiment of the presentinvention. As discussed above, tall stand 60 can be used, according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention, by users that arestanding up, or laying down on a bed. Tall stand 60 comprises tall standbase 64, first tall stand component 66 a, first twist lock 16 a, secondtall stand component 66 b, second twist lock 16 b, L-shaped armature 14a, third twist lock 16 c, adjustable stabilizer armature 76 and thirdtall stand component 66 c, which is identical to short stand component15 g. Mounting platform 2 is coupled to third tall stand component 66 c,which is substantially horizontal, via mounting coupler 8. A user canadjust the height of tall stand 60 by either of first and second twistlocks 16 a, b, and can adjust final placement of mounting platform 2 byeither mounting coupler 8 or via twist lock 16 c, and extending orretracting third tall stand component 66 c. The use of detents, springsand pneumatic cylinders as previously described in regard to short stand10 and short stand 10′, applies equally as well to the structure andassembly of tall stand 60.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a user canlocate tall stand base 64 under a bed such that tall stand components 66a, b stand adjacent to the side of the bed, and third tall standcomponent 66 c and mounting platform 2 extend over the bed. Adjustablestabilizer armature (armature) 76 a, as depicted in FIGS. 6A, 7 and 8,is substantially perpendicular to tall stand component 66 a andsubstantially parallel to tall stand component 64. Armature 76 a can beadjusted to apply upward pressure to the underside of a chair or bed tofurther improve the stability of tall stand 60. Armature 76 a eitherslidingly engages tall stand component 66 a, or is fabricated as anL-shaped component fixed to base 64 that slides up and down to engagethe underside of the bed. In a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, armature 76 a protrudes from within tall stand component 66 aand through the use of detents, springs and pneumatic cylinders, theuser can raise or lower armature 76 such that it wedges under the bed.With armature 76 a applying an upward force to the underside of the bed,base 64 is forced down onto the floor and a substantially secure footingis available for tall stand 60. The height of tall stand 60, coupledwith an 8-10 pound laptop, for example, could make tall stand 60susceptible to tipping and/or wobbling without the use of armature 76 a.The use of detents, springs, and pneumatic cylinders as previouslydescribed in regard to short stand 10 and short stand 10′ appliesequally as well with armature 76 a. Optionally, tall stand 60 can befabricated without armature 76 a. FIG. 6B illustrates an alternativeembodiment of tall stand 60 with armature 76 b according to anembodiment of the present invention. Armature 76 b operatessubstantially similarly to armature 76 a, and therefore a detaileddescription of its operation is omitted for purposes of brevity. FIG. 6Cillustrates armature 76 b on tall stand 60 a wherein armature 76 b isshown applying a force to the underside of a bed or chair. As a resultof the upward force applied by armature 76 b, and downward force appliedby base 64, tall stand 60 a is substantially immobile and stable, andcan support a great deal of weight on mounting platform 8 such as, forexample, a laptop 52, without swaying or tipping. The combination ofarmature 76 a and base 64 can be envisioned as an adjustable wedge. FIG.7 illustrates a front view of tall stand 60, FIG. 8 illustrates a sideview of tall stand 60, and FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of tall stand60. FIGS. 7-9 illustrate tall stand 60 with armature 76 a though, as oneof ordinary skill in the art can appreciate, armature 76 b can be usedequally as well, or no armature 76 a, b can be used with tall stand 60.

FIGS. 10A-F illustrate a perspective view of several differentembodiments of tall stand 60 according to further embodiments of thepresent invention. Shown in FIG. 10A is tall stand 60 b according to analternative embodiment of the present invention, wherein fourth tallstand component 66 d, an 18″ extender tube, takes the place of first andsecond tall stand components 66 a, b, and first twist lock 16 a. FIGS.10B-F illustrate different embodiments of tall stand bases 64 accordingto alternative embodiments of the present invention. Although FIGS.10A-F do not include armature 76 a, b, one of ordinary skill in the artof the present invention can appreciate that use of either armature 76a, b with the alternate embodiments of tall stand 60 shown in FIGS.10A-F is within the scope of the embodiments of the present invention.

According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a usercan locate tall stand base 64 between the mattress and box spring of atypical bed such that tall stand components 66 a, b stand adjacent tothe side of the mattress and third tall stand component 66 c andmounting platform 2 extend over the surface of the bed. According tostill another alternative embodiment of the present invention, tallstand 60 incorporates adjustable reading light(s) (L.E.D. or halogen,among other possibilities) that can be attached to predetermined pointson tall stand components 66 a, b and/or 14 a as depicted in FIG. 6.These lights could be powered by, for example, batteries or ordinaryhousehold electrical service (120-volt AC).

III. Mounting Deck 12

As discussed above, mounting deck 12 comprises several majorsubcomponents: mounting platform 2, slide-clamp slots 6, slide clamps 4,and mounting platform coupler 8. Each will be discussed in detail inturn.

A. Mounting Platform 2

FIGS. 11A and B illustrate front perspective views of mounting platform2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Mounting platform2, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, can befabricated of plastic, for example polycarbonate, lexan, acrylic, highdensity polyethylene (HDPE) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). According to analternative embodiment of the present invention, wood, or metal can alsobe used to manufacture mounting platform 2, or even ceramics, glass,composite materials (i.e., carbon fibers), fiberglass, cardboard,particleboard, or still even quarried materials, such as marble orgranite. Mounting platform 2 as illustrated in FIGS. 11-14, and 25A-F isgenerally X-shaped, though this need not always be the case. Forexample, mounting platform 2 could be manufactured as a rectangle,circle, square, oval or many other different shapes or designs, asdepicted in FIGS. 25G-S. Mounting platform 2 comprises a front side 68,rear side 70, slide clamp slots 6 a-d, mounting platform recessed area(recessed area) 72 and a mounting coupler access area (access area) 74.FIG. 12 illustrates a rear perspective view of the mounting platformshown in FIG. 11, FIG. 13 illustrates a front view of the mountingplatform shown in FIG. 11.

C. Ventilation Area 72

Ventilation area 72 is designed to allow cooling air to circulate underand around laptop 52 that can be mounted on mounting platform 2, asshown in FIGS. 14A-D. FIGS. 14A-D illustrate several left side views ofseveral embodiments of mounting platform 2 as shown in FIG. 11,according to different embodiments of the present invention. Laptop 52,as well known to any who use them, generates a great deal of heat due totheir power usage. Large amounts of electrical power are provided byeither rechargeable batteries (generally nickel metal hydride batterypacks, lithium ion battery packs, or, in the near future, fuel cells),or an external power supply. The large amounts of electrical power areneeded for the high speed circuitry, especially microprocessors, whichare operating at frequencies in excess of 2 GHz. High power usage leadsto high amounts of heat being generated. The large amounts of heatgenerated by the circuits and batteries is removed by convection,conduction and radiation. Heat removed by convection is most efficientlyaccomplished through small fans located in laptops 52. Heat is alsoremoved by conduction directly from the batteries and circuitry to thelaptop case and heat sinks, wherein convective cooling also occurs.Cooling by radiation generally results in more conduction coolingbecause the radiated heat energy comes into contact with the laptop caseand heat sinks, and then is removed by conduction and/or convection.Recessed area 72 on mounting platform 2 allows heat generated by laptop52 to radiate from the lower surface of the case to an essentially openarea wherein the heat can then dissipate into the ambient surroundingatmosphere. FIGS. 14C, D illustrate different embodiments of mountingplatform 2 with different shaped ventilation areas 72. As shown in FIG.14C, recessed area 72 is formed by a generally concave shaped mountingplatform 2, and in FIG. 14D, a plurality of ventilation areas 72 a-d areformed in mounting platform 2. Still further, either in conjunction withventilation area 72 or as part of an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention wherein mounting platform 2 is of uniform thickness,mounting platform 2 can also be perforated with holes of various shapesand sizes to further facilitate cooling. According to still a furtherembodiment of the present invention, mounting platform 2 can incorporatecooling fan(s) that can be powered by, for example, batteries, ordinaryhousehold A.C. current or laptop-supplied power via a USB port and cableconnected to laptop 52.

B. Slide Clamp Slots 6

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 25A-F, and 26, slideclamp slots 6 a-d are shown. Slide clamp slots (slots) 6 a-d are cut-outareas in mounting platform 2 that enable slide clamps 4 a-d to belocated at the best possible position to retain book 50 or laptop 52onto mounting platform 2. According to a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, slots 6 a-d are areas that deliberately left openduring the manufacturing of mounting platform 2. According to analternative embodiment of the present invention, slots 6 a-d can becut-away if mounting platform 2 is made of wood or metal, or evenplastic. As indicated in FIGS. 25A-F, many different alternative designsare possible for slots 6 a-d, and these illustrations are by no meansintended to encompass all the possible variations considered to bewithin the scope of the embodiments of the present invention. Accordingto still a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the number ofslots 6 a-d numbers four, but again, as few as one can be used accordingto alternative embodiments of the present invention, or more than four,depending on the design of the mounting platform 2, aesthetics, or otherconsiderations, all of which are considered to be within the scope ofthe various embodiments of the present invention. Use of slots 6 a-dwill be discussed below in reference to slide clamps 4 a-d.

D. Slide Clamps 4

While mounting platform 2 itself is of fixed dimensions (the preferredshape a “squat” X), the adjustability of the slide clamps 4 within slots6 enables many different devices to be held by book/laptop stand 34,including, but not limited to laptops 52, books 50, video games, and LCDmonitors of different sizes, among other devices. As shown in FIGS. 15through 18, slide clamps 4 resemble “quick release” bicycle seat postclamps in form and operation. Slide clamp 4 comprises severalcomponents: molded locking lever (locking lever) 26, clamp post 18,washers 20 a, b, nut 24 (that attaches to the opposite end of the clamppost 18), slide clamp handle 27, and rolling ball 48.

To use slide clamps 4, the user releases the tension by rotating lockinglever 26 upwards in the direction of arrow A (FIG. 17A) till it issubstantially in-line and parallel with clamp post 18. To rotate lockinglever 26 in the direction of arrow A, the user can insert a finger intoslide clamp handle 27, which is located at an outermost portion 29 oflocking lever 26. Relief of locking tension generally occurs when theround bulbous portion (“release point”) 28 of locking lever 26 reachesclamp post 18. At that point, the effective length of slide clamp 4increases from its closed or locked condition. Slide clamp 4 can then beslid substantially easily to any desired position within slots 6. Tolock slide clamp 4, the user rotates locking lever 26 in the directionof arrow B (FIG. 17A) until slide clamp tension point 30 reaches collar20 a. At that point, slide clamp 4 is at its maximum tension point.According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the anglethat should preferably be made between locking lever 26 and clamp post18 and still maintain enough tension to lock a book 50 and/or laptop 52to mounting platform 2 can be as much as about 30° above a lineperpendicular to clamp post 18 (i.e., if one were to draw an imaginaryline perpendicular to the top of clamp post 18, locking lever 26 must bewithin about +/−15° of that imaginary line). Of course, from time totime, when reading book 50, the user will have to adjust the effectivetension point of all of the slide clamps 4 a-d as the number of pagesincreases or decreases under them by increasing or decreasing theeffective length of clamp post 18, as needed. The effective length isthe distance between the washer on rear side 70 of mounting platform 2and the point where locking lever 26 is attached to clamp post 18.

While slide clamps 4 can be easily removed in their entirety frommounting platform 2, operationally there is no need to do so to adjustthem. Locking lever 26 and most of clamp post 18 protrude from the topof mounting platform 2, held within slot 6 by nut 24 on rear side ofmounting platform 70. Against both front and rear surfaces 68, 70 ofmounting platform 2 are collars 20 a, b, preferably made with a rubberor plastic material, or, optionally, of various types of metal, thatprovide some compression and friction between slide clamp 4 and mountingplatform 2. Thus, locking lever 26 can effectively hold even a singlepage of book 50 in place, be it the first or last page.

The design of slide clamps 4 a-d allows for free and easy movementwithin slots 6 a-d by simply loosening the locking lever 26, asdiscussed above. When slide clamp 4 is moved to the desired position,“closing” locking lever 18 both tightens slide clamp 4 to mountingplatform 2 and provides rigid retention points that either secure laptop52, LCD monitor, or the pages of book 50. Slide clamps 6 can bemanufactured from molded plastic, metal, or other materials. Asdiscussed above, there can be a minimum of one slide clamp 4, or as manyas four or even more, as determined partly by aesthetic determinationsand the weight/size of the object to be retained. According to apreferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in theabove-mentioned drawings, four slide clamps 4 a-d operate completelyindependently of each other within their respective slots 6 a-d, thoughthey work in unison to provide the desired retention functionality.

FIG. 17A illustrates a side view of an alternative embodiment of slideclamp 4, and FIG. 17B illustrates an expanded side view of a portion ofslide clamp 4 shown in FIG. 17A illustrating rolling ball 48 accordingto a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Rolling ball 48 is asubstantially spherical ball that is frictionally retained or pressfitted within a partially spherical hole at an outermost portion 29 oflocking lever 26. Rolling ball 48 provides a substantially reducedfrictional surface that enables a user to slide pages from one side toanother of book 50 when retained by slide clamps 4. When the userretains book 50 and the book's pages, rolling ball 48 is in directcontact with the book's pages and presses down upon them. To turn a pageafter reading it, the user can slide the page out from under lockinglever 26 because rolling ball 48 rotates as the page is pulled out fromunder it. Similarly, the user can position the now turned page to theother side of book 50 by sliding it under locking levers 26 and theirrolling balls 48 located on the opposite side of book 50. Rolling ball48 can also be used in slide clamp 4 shown in FIGS. 15, 16, and 18, asshown. According to several alternative embodiments of the presentinvention, rolling ball 48 can be replaced by a substantiallyfrictionally reduced material such as plastic, different types ofglasses, stainless steel, and other metals, or even paper products.Still further, rolling ball 48 can be a rolling cylinder 48 a, orbead-shaped apparatus 48 b, as shown in FIG. 18B, each of which rotatesabout axis A-A.

E. Mounting Platform Coupler 8

Attention is now directed to FIG. 12, which illustrates a rearperspective view of mounting platform 2 and mounting platform coupler 8.Mounting platform coupler (coupler) 8 is shown in greater detail inFIGS. 19-22. Coupler 8 adjustably rotationally connects mountingplatform 2 to stands 10, 60 (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, among others).Coupler 8 comprises several sub-components: coupler rings 36 a, b;coupler clamps 38 a, b; first portion coupler base 40 and second portioncoupler base 42. According to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, coupler 8 can include only a first base portion 40 that canbe coupled or attached directly to rear side of mounting platform 70 viascrews 44 a, b, or even adhesive 46. Adhesive 46 comprises any type ofappropriate adhesive material suitable for adhering the materials thecoupler 8 and mounting platform 2 are manufactured from. Coupler 8 canalso be attached to mounting platform 2, as shown in FIG. 21, via firstand second coupler base portions 40, 42, and, according to anotherembodiment of the present invention, via adhesive 46. Screws 44 a, bretain second portion coupler base 42 to rear side of mounting platform70, and then adhesive 46 secures second portion coupler base 40 to firstportion coupler base 42, thereby securing coupler 8 to mounting platform2.

Prior to final assembly of book/laptop stand 34, the user will slide oneof the components of short or tall stands 10, 60, through coupler rings36 a, b (for example, short stand base component 15 g, as shown in FIG.1), then complete assembly of book/laptop stand 34. If coupler clamps 38a, b are in the positions as shown in FIG. 19, mounting platform 2 isfree to rotate to about the base component. The user then positionsmounting platform 2 at any desired position or angle with respect tostands 10, 60, and clamps mounting platform into position by pushing intowards the base component coupler clamps 38 a, b, as shown in FIG. 20.Coupler clamps 38 a, b clamp mounting platform 2 to the base componentat the intended position, and the user can then place book 50, laptop52, or other devices onto mounting platform 2, and lock them into placewith slide clamps 4, after they have been put into their proper position(sliding in slots 6 a-d). According to a further embodiment of thepresent invention, pre-determined angle detents can be provided at, forexample, every 5°, 10°, 15°, and so on. The angle detents can be any setof angles, and need not be the same amount from any one detent toanother detent. As one of ordinary skill in the art of the presentinvention can appreciate, any different set of detent angles isconsidered to be within the scope of the several different embodimentsof the present invention. FIG. 22 is a close upside view of coupler 8according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, looseningboth coupler clamps 38 a, b provides relatively little or no resistanceto rotation of mounting platform 2. Closing either coupler clamp 38 a or38 b provides greater rotational friction, so that the user can rotatemounting platform 2 without fear that, if loaded with laptop 52, it willbe difficult to keep in a certain position. That is, closing either ofcoupler clamps 38 a, b provides just enough retention force to keepmounting platform 2 relatively static, yet it can still be moved orrotated, but will not rotate freely.

F. Book Strap

FIG. 23A illustrates a front view of a first book strap 54 a used withbook/laptop stand 34 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. Book strap 54 a is used to facilitate retention of book 50 onbook/laptop stand 34. As shown in FIG. 23, book strap 54 a is formedfrom a single piece of preferably translucent material, according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention, a clear plasticizedmaterial such as vinyl or other synthetic polymer, including neoprene.As one skilled in the art of the present invention can appreciate,however, book strap 54 a can be made from any substantially flexiblematerial, including, but not limited to, leather, fabric, cloth, animalskins, paper, or other materials, whether or not they are translucent.To use book strap 54 a, the user first places book 50 onto book/laptopstand 34 and secures it according to the method discussed above (andbelow in regard to FIG. 26), and then isolates a section of pages theuser believes will be read at the present time. The user then insertsthe selected group of pages through open area 56 and places first andsecond straps 58 a, b over the top of book 50 and book/laptop stand 34to upper securing points located on rear side of mounting platform 68,and places third and fourth straps 58 c, d, under the bottom of book 50and book/laptop stand 34 to lower additional securing points located onrear side of mounting platform 68. The effect of book strap 54 a is toisolate several pages of book 50 (as shown in FIG. 24A), and to assistin retention of book 50 onto book/laptop stand 34. Following placementand securing of first through fourth straps 58 a-d onto rear side ofmounting platform 68, the pages are then placed under rolling balls 48of one or more locking levers 26 of slide clamps 4. The user is nowready to read the retained book, and can easily move pages from one sideof the book to the other, as shown in FIG. 24B. As shown in FIG. 33B,and according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, bookstrap 54 b is generally rectangular in shape with an open area 56 forthe pages of book 50 to fit within. Book strap 54 b operates similarlyto book strap 54 a in its interaction with book 50 and mounting platform2. According to a preferred embodiment, holes 55 are spaced ½″ apart forabout 5″ on each side and both ends of book strap 54 b as shown in FIG.23B. According to still another embodiment of the present invention,book straps 54 a, b can be constructed of a rigid material, molded witha bit of flexibility so both sides could accommodate differentthicknesses of left and right sides of the book. According to still afurther embodiment of the present invention, book straps 54 a, b can befabricated from one, two or more separate components, for example, aleft and a right strap.

IV. Method of Using the XDeck Book/Laptop Stand

Attention is now directed toward FIG. 28, which is a flow chart of amethod 100 for using book/laptop stand 34 according to an embodiment ofthe present invention. Method 100 generally discusses use of book/laptopstand 34 in regard to viewing/using laptop 52, but applies equally aswell to books 50, except where otherwise noted and discussed. Further,for the purpose of this discussion of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, it is presumed that there are four slide clamps asshown in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, though, asdiscussed above, there can be only one slide clamp 4, and as many asdesired. To use book/laptop stand 34 with laptop 52, the user willassemble or have assembled book/laptop stand 34 in step 102, andposition book/laptop stand 34 in step 104. The user can thenpreliminarily adjust the height of book/laptop stand 34 in step 106before placing laptop 52 on to book/laptop stand 34. Adjustment ofheight in step 106 can comprise use of flip lock levers 17 a, b togrossly adjust height of book/laptop stand 34, and can further includeadjustment of height as described above using L-shaped armatures 14 a, b(if present in the particular stand in use).

In step 108, the user places laptop 52 on mounting platform 2 and thenin step 110, moves lower slide clamps 4 c, d through slots 6 c, d sothat clamp posts 18 c, d of lower slide clamp 4 c, d contacts, or isclose to contacting, the front edge of laptop 52, on both the left andright sides of lap top 52, and clamp posts 18 a, b of upper slide clamps4 a, b touches, or almost touches, the left and right sides of thelaptop's bottom piece as close to the LCD screen as possible. With slideclamps 4 a-d in place, the user “closes” the locking levers 26 a-d ofeach slide clamp 4 a-d, in step 110, pushing them so they are firmly upagainst the surface of laptop 52 itself, the clamping action alsofurther tightening the slide clamps 4 a-d at those positions. The widerange of adjustability of slide clamps 4 a-d within slots 6 a-d means auser can nearly always find positions for slide clamps 4 a-d that do notsubstantially impede any edge-mounted buttons, optical media drawers,USB/FireWire/Ethernet ports, wireless Cards, among other components, oflaptop 52.

In step 114, with laptop 52 properly attached to mounting platform 2,the user can then make final adjustments in positioning the book/laptopstand 34 and laptop 52 over their lap, torso, or chest, depending on theuser's body position. As discussed above, the user can adjust the heightof the book/laptop stand 34 and its width using twist-locks 16. In step116, the user can make final adjustments of the tilt-angle of mountingplatform 2 and attached laptop 2 using coupler 8 and coupler clamps 38a, b. With both coupling clamps 38 a, b fully released, mountingplatform 2 rotates substantially freely around the axis of basecomponents 15 g. Mounting platform 2 can be rotationally adjusted withjust one of coupler clamps loosened, providing a frictionally retardedrotational motion thereby substantially preventing an unexpected, quickrotation of laptop 52 in a way that surprises or potentially strikes thebody of the user.

While performing step 114 discussed above, if the user is usingbook/laptop stand 34 in a substantially supine position, a significantergonomic benefit is derived by adjusting the angle of mounting platform2 so that it is roughly perpendicular to the surface the user is layingon. The height of mounting platform 2 can then be adjusted so that theuser can operate the keyboard and trackpad while his/her upper arms arefully resting on the laying surface alongside the user's body.Book/laptop stand 34 can then be moved to a position such that thekeyboard/trackpad of laptop 52 can be operated with the lower armsperpendicular to the laying surface. In this way, a straight line isachieved by the lower arms, wrists, and hands, and fatigue isdramatically reduced. Naturally, the design of laptops themselves allowsthe LCD screen to be angled for best viewing.

As discussed above, method 100 equally applies to use of book/laptopstand 34 with books 50. Instead of placing laptop 52 in step 108 ontomounting platform 2, book 50 is placed “face up” by the user ontomounting platform 2, and opened to roughly the page where the userwishes to begin reading. In step 110, lower slide clamps 4 c, d areadjusted within slots 6 c, d so that clamp posts 18 c, d touch, oralmost touch, the bottom edge of the opened book 50. Locking levers 27c, d of lower slide clamps 4 c, d are then tightened (step 112) toretain the pages at the lower right and left corners of book 50. Upperslide clamps 4 a, b are then adjusted within slots 6 a, b so that whenlocking levers 6 a, b are tightened, the inner surfaces of lockinglevers 26 a, b themselves retain the opened pages at the top left andtop right of book 50. Unless the user decides to read whilesubstantially supine or steeply reclined, the action of slide clamps 4a-d both secures book 50 to mounting platform 2 and retains its pages.In step 114, the user can adjust the height (or width) of book/laptopstand 34, as discussed above, and then adjust the viewing angle (step116). In decision step 118, the user determines whether or not to usebook strap 54. If the user decides not to use book strap 54 (“No” pathfrom decision step 118) method 100 proceeds to step 122.

Page turning (step 122) is easily accomplished by slipping a page fromunder rolling balls 48 b, d (presuming that the user is turning pagesfrom left to right) located at outermost portion 29 b, d of lockinglevers 26 b, d on the right side of book 50, flipping the page, thentucking it under rolling balls 48 a, c of outermost portions 29 a, c oflocking levers 26 a, c located on slide clamps 4 a, c on the left sideof book 50. The wide range of adjustability of the locking levers 26 a-densures that they can be progressively tightened when the halves of book50 begin to significantly vary in thickness due to the progressionthrough the pages. Slots 6 a-d ensures that slide clamps 4 a-dthemselves never need obscure the actual text.

If the user opts to read while either completely or substantially supineor extremely reclined, this necessitates the “face” of book 50 beingangled downward, toward the user. To both help secure book 50 in thesecircumstances and to facilitate the turning of pages by allowing theslide clamps 4 a-d to not be clamped so tightly against the pages, theuser can determine whether to use book strap 54 in decision step 118. Ifthe user decides to use book strap 54 (“Yes” path from decision step118), the user inserts book strap 54 in step 120. The user then opensbook 50 so that either all the pages, or just the portion that may beread during the reading session, are held together and slipped throughopen area 56 of book strap 54. Book strap 54 then drapes over the top ofthe mounting platform 2 and loops under the bottom of mounting platform2, attaching to posts or snaps that are located on rear side of mountingplatform 70. Other mechanisms for retaining straps 58 a-d of book strap54 include buckles, and snaps, among other retention means. With bookstrap 54 firmly securing book 52 against mounting platform 2, slideclamps 4 a-d are positioned and tightened/closed at each corner of book50 just as much as is necessary to retain pages. When the pages aredownward facing, gravity actually works for the user in this regard,pulling the unsecured pages on the left and right sides of the book'sspine toward the inner surfaces of locking levers 26 a-d. Then, asdiscussed above, in step 122, the user can easily turn pages from oneside of the book to the other.

Generally, a user desiring to read book 50 using book/laptop stand 34while either substantially or fully supine or extremely reclined willneed to raise the height of the book/laptop stand 34 to achieve apreferred distance between the pages and the eyes. For most people, anideal distance is an arm's length from the eyes to book 50. Anotheradjustment may be desirable when using the book/laptop stand 34 to readbooks 50 while substantially or fully supine or extremely reclined: inaddition to being able to rotate 360 degrees around base components 15g, mounting platform 2 itself can swivel 360° (i.e., rotate). Furthermore, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention,mounting coupler 8 can include several or more predetermined angulardetents of at 90°, 180°, 270°, and 360°, to accommodate taller books orachieve a preferred arrangement of slide clamps 4 a-d. Further still,according to still another embodiment of the present invention, thedetents can be provided at 5°, 10°, or other angular separations. Asthose of ordinary skill in the art of the present invention canappreciate, the separations between detent positions need not be thesame angle between each detent. When used at a height high enough tofacilitate supine reading, it may be desirable, particularly withheavier books, to actually flip book/laptop stand 34 90° in terms of itsorientation over the user's body (versus that shown in FIG. 1, which issubstantially vertical, to that of a substantially horizontalorientation). Further still, the mounting coupler 8 can have detents inits rotational adjustments, so that a user can more easily select aswivel angular position of mounting coupler 8.

Using the book/laptop stand 34 to facilitate video gaming is similar tousing it with laptop computer 52. When using a console-style videogame(Xbox 360, PlayStation3, etc.), the user mounts a (thin panel) LCDmonitor that serves as the monitor for the videogame to mountingplatform 2 using slide clamps 4 a-d, as described above. Adjustment ofthe angle/tilt of mounting platform 8 with an attached LCD screen andthe height of the mounting platform 2 and attached screen can also beadjusted as discussed above.

As discussed above, according to further embodiment of the presentinvention, various other means can be employed to suspend book/laptopstand 34 over the user at the desired height. Foremost among these istall stand 60 that rests on the floor, instead of the short stand 10,which generally rests on the surface the user is laying on. The heightof mounting platform 2 over the user is adjusted by twist locks 16 a, b,as shown in FIG. 6. Using mounting deck 12 in conjunction with tallstand 60 can be a preferred way to use book/laptop stand 34 while seatedor slightly reclined in a chair, as mounting deck 12 can easily emulatea tiltable table-like surface. Mounting deck 12 can also be used with abed-frame mount, a bedrail mount (for hospital beds), and a wall-mountedarticulating arm.

When mounting deck 12 is used in conjunction with short stand 10, simplyloosening twist locks 16 a, d atop short stand base components 15 canallow them to be folded inward, rotating clockwise on the left andcounter-clockwise on the right until they're touching rear side ofmounting platform 70. The book/laptop stand 34 can then easily be storedunder a bed, for example, or leaned up against a wall, taking up verylittle floor space. Short stand 10 (and tall stand 60) is also designedto be stored or transported easily, as it's comprised of severalindividual pieces that interlock, as discussed in detail above.

The present invention has been described with reference to certainexemplary embodiments thereof. However, it will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art that it is possible to embody the invention inspecific forms other than those of the exemplary embodiments describedabove. This may be done without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. The exemplary embodiments are merely illustrative andshould not be considered restrictive in any way. The scope of theinvention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents,rather than by the preceding description.

All United States patents and applications, foreign patents, andpublications discussed above are hereby incorporated herein by referencein their entireties.

1. A stand for use in holding a viewable object for a user, comprising:a base; a mounting platform that includes a plurality of slots and aplurality of clamps, wherein each slot contains a clamp, and furtherwherein the clamp is configured to secure the viewable object to thegenerally x-shaped mounting platform, wherein, each of the clampsincludes a locking lever, and further wherein each locking leverincludes a roller configured to allow a user to move a portion of theviewable object when desired; and a mounting platform coupler configuredto frictionally engage the generally x-shaped mounting platform at auser selectable angle to the base.
 2. The stand according to claim 1,wherein the mounting platform is generally x-shaped.
 3. The standaccording to claim 1, wherein the mounting platform comprises: a firstsubstantially planar surface configured to hold the viewable object in aplanar relationship with the user; and a second substantially planarsurface substantially parallel to the first substantially planarsurface; and a recessed area formed between the first and secondsubstantially planar surfaces, wherein the recessed area is configuredto ventilate excess heat generated by the viewable object.
 4. The standaccording to claim 1, wherein the mounting coupler is configured tofrictionally engage the base at any one of a set of predetermined detentangles.
 5. The stand according to claim 1, wherein the base isconfigured to be adjusted in width and/or height, and further wherein aplurality of detent angles and positions are provided to adjust thewidth and/or height of the base.
 6. The stand according to claim 1,further comprising: an adjustable stabilizer armature adjustable inheight above the base, wherein the adjustable stabilizer armature isconfigured to provide a wedging force to an underside of an object suchthat the stand is substantially stable and is substantially incapable oftipping, swaying or leaning as a result of securing the viewable objectto the mounting platform.
 7. The stand according to claim 1, wherein thebase comprises: a first and second L-shaped cross bar, the first andsecond L-shaped cross bars including a first end and a second end; and afirst and second base leg, the first and second base legs including asubstantially horizontal portion and an angled portion, wherein thefirst and second base legs are configured to frictionally engage thefirst end of the first and second L-shaped cross bars at the angledportion of the first and second base legs, and wherein the first andsecond L-shaped cross bars are configured to frictionally engage eachother at their respective second ends.
 8. The stand according to claim7, wherein the angled portion of the first and second base legs can beformed at an angle from about 48° to about 68° with respect to thesubstantially horizontal portion.
 9. The stand according to claim 7,wherein the angled portion of the first and second base legs can beformed at an angle from about 53°to about 63° with respect to thesubstantially horizontal portion.
 10. The stand according to claim 7,wherein the angled portion of the first and second base legs can beformed at an angle of about 58° with respect to the substantiallyhorizontal portion.
 11. The stand according to claim 7, wherein the basefurther comprises: a rotational coupler configured to rotationallycouple the substantially horizontal portion to the angled portion ofeach of the first and second base legs.
 12. The stand according to claim11, wherein the angled portion of the first and second base legs areconfigured to be adjusted at a plurality of angles, and wherein aplurality of detent angles are provided to adjust the angled portion ofthe first and second base legs.
 13. The stand according to claim 12,wherein the detent angles are substantially equally spaced at about 5°apart.
 14. The stand according to claim 12, wherein the detent anglesare not substantially equally spaced apart.
 15. The stand according toclaim 7, wherein the first and second cross bars are replaced by asingle cross bar having a first and second end, and the single cross baris configured to frictionally engage the angled portion of the first andsecond base legs.
 16. The stand according to claim 7, furthercomprising: means for adjusting a width of the stand.
 17. The standaccording to claim 16, wherein the means for adjusting the width of thestand comprises: adjustment of the frictional engagement at the secondends of the first and second L-shaped cross bars thereby adjusting thedistance between the first and second base legs.
 18. The stand accordingto claim 1, wherein the base comprises: a substantially “[” shaped crossbar, wherein the cross bar includes a first and second end; and a firstand second base leg, the first and second base legs including asubstantially horizontal portion and an angled portion rotationallycoupled to the substantially horizontal portion, wherein the first andsecond base legs are configured to frictionally engage the first andsecond end of the substantially “[” shaped cross bar at the angledportion of the first and second base legs respectively.
 19. The standaccording to claim 18, wherein the substantially “[” shaped cross barcomprises: a first and second substantially “L” shaped cross bar part,each of the first and second cross bar part comprising a first andsecond end; and a substantially straight cross bar part, thesubstantially straight cross bar part comprising a first and second end,wherein, the first end of the “L” shaped cross bar parts are configuredto frictionally engage the angled portion of the first and second baseleg, respectively, and the second end of the “L” shaped cross bar partsare configured to frictionally engage the first and second end of thesubstantially straight cross bar part, respectively.
 20. The standaccording to claim 18, wherein the angled portion of the first andsecond base legs is rotated to form an angle from about 48°to about 68°with respect to the substantially horizontal portion.
 21. The standaccording to claim 18, wherein the angled portion of the first andsecond base legs can be rotated to form an angle from about 53° to about63° with respect to the substantially horizontal portion.
 22. The standaccording to claim 18, wherein the angled portion of the first andsecond base legs can be rotated to form an angle of about 58° withrespect to the substantially horizontal portion.
 23. The stand accordingto claim 18, wherein the angled portion of the first and second baselegs are configured to be adjusted at a plurality of angles, and whereina plurality of detent angles are provided to adjust the angled portionof the first and second base legs.
 24. The stand according to claim 23,wherein the detent angles are substantially equally spaced at about 5°apart.
 25. The stand according to claim 23, wherein the detent anglesare not substantially equally spaced apart.
 26. The stand according toclaim 18, wherein each of the first and second base legs are furtherconfigured to rotationally fold together such that the substantiallyhorizontal portion and the angled portion are substantially parallel andadjacent one another.
 27. The stand according to claim 18, wherein theangled portion of each of the first and second base legs furthercomprise: a first outer tube; a first inner tube spring coupled to thefirst outer tube; and a twist lock configured to retain the first innertube at a user selectable height with respect to the first outer tube asa result of the spring force applied by the spring between the firstouter tube and the first inner tube.
 28. The stand according to claim18, wherein the base further comprises: a rotational coupler configuredto rotationally couple the substantially horizontal portion to theangled portion of each of the first and second base legs.
 29. The standaccording to claim 1, wherein the user can occupy a range of positionsfrom a substantially supine position to a substantially sitting upposition.
 30. The stand according to claim 1, further comprising: meansfor adjusting a width of the stand.
 31. The stand according to claim 30,wherein the means for adjusting the width of the stand comprises: meansfor adjusting the width of the “[” shaped cross bar, wherein the meansfor adjusting the width of the “[” shaped cross bar comprises a firstand second substantially “L” shaped cross bar part, each of the firstand second cross bar part comprising a first and second end; and asubstantially straight cross bar part, the substantially straight crossbar part comprising a first and second end, wherein, the first end ofthe “L” shaped cross bar parts are configured to frictionally engage theangled portion of the first and second base leg, respectively, and thesecond end of the “L” shaped cross bar parts are configured tofrictionally engage the first and second end of the substantiallystraight cross bar part, respectively, wherein adjustment of the widthof the “[” shaped cross bar comprises adjustment of the frictionalengagement at the second end of the first L-shaped cross bar and thesubstantially straight cross bar, or, adjustment of the frictionalengagement at the second end of the second L-shaped cross bar, oradjustment of the frictional engagement at the second end of the 1^(st)L-shaped cross bar and the substantially straight cross bar, andadjustment of the frictional engagement at the second end of the 2^(nd)L-shaped cross bar and the substantially straight cross bar.
 32. Thestand according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of slots comprises: afirst upper pair of slots, each of the respective upper pair of slotshaving both a substantially horizontal portion, and an angled portionthat is formed at about a 45° angle with respect to the substantiallyhorizontal portion; and a second lower pair of slots, each of therespective lower pair of slots having both a substantially horizontalportion, and an angled portion that is formed at about a 140° angle withrespect to the substantially horizontal portion.
 33. The stand accordingto claim 1, wherein each roller comprises a substantially spherical ballrotationally attached to the respective locking lever.
 34. The standaccording to claim 1, wherein each roller comprises a substantiallycylindrical rolling cylinder rotationally attached to the respectivelocking lever.
 35. The stand according to claim 1, wherein the rollercomprises a frictionally reduced surface attached to the respectivelocking lever.
 36. The stand according to claim 1, wherein the viewableobject comprises a laptop computer, and wherein the slots are configuredto allow a user to adjust the clamps to accommodate a plurality ofdifferent sized laptops.
 37. The stand according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a removable strap attached to the mounting platform, andconfigured to segregate a user selectable portion of the viewableobject.
 38. The stand according to claim 37, wherein the viewable objectcomprises a book, and the user selectable portion comprises at least onepage of the book.
 39. A method of enabling a user to hold and view aviewable object in a stand, wherein the stand comprises a base, agenerally x-shaped mounting platform that includes a plurality of slotsand clamps, the clamps including locking levers with rollers, the standfurther comprising a mounting platform coupler, the method comprising:providing a user with the stand, wherein the user employs the stand tohold and adjustably view the viewable object by: adjusting a height ofthe base; coupling the generally x-shaped mounting platform to the base;positioning the viewable object onto the generally x-shaped mountingplatform; clamping the viewable object onto the mounting platform withthe clamps; adjusting a viewing angle of the mounting platform withrespect to the user using the mounting platform coupler; and moving afirst portion of the viewable object from a first and second clamp to athird and fourth clamp by rolling the first portion out from under thefirst and second clamp and inserting and rolling the first portion underthe third and fourth clamps, such that a second and subsequent portionsof the viewable object can now be viewed, and wherein the second andsubsequent portions of the viewable object and the viewable objectremains substantially undisturbed while the first portion is beingmoved.
 40. The method according to claim 39, further comprising:isolating a user-selected portion of the viewable object with aremovable strap attached to the generally x-shaped mounting platform.41. The method according to claim 39, further comprising: adjusting awidth of the stand.
 42. The method according to claim 39, wherein theuser is substantially supine.
 43. The stand according to claim 39,wherein each roller comprises a substantially spherical ballrotationally attached to the respective locking lever.
 44. The methodaccording to claim 39, wherein each roller comprises a substantiallycylindrical rolling cylinder rotationally attached to the respectivelocking lever.
 45. The method according to claim 39, wherein the rollercomprises a frictionally reduced surface attached to the respectivelocking lever.
 46. The method according to claim 39, further comprising:segregating a user selectable portion of the viewable object with aremovable strap attached to the mounting platform.
 47. The methodaccording to claim 46, wherein the viewable object comprises a book, andthe user selectable portion comprises at least one page of the book. 48.The method according to claim 39, wherein the viewable object comprisesa laptop, wherein the step of moving a first portion is not performed,and wherein the method further comprises: adjusting the position of oneor more of the clamps within their respective slots to allow a user toaccommodate a plurality of different sized laptops.
 49. The methodaccording to claims 39 further comprising: adjusting the position of oneor more of the clamps within their respective slots to allow a user toaccommodate a plurality of different sized books.
 50. The methodaccording to claim 39, wherein the step of adjusting the height of thebase comprises: raising the height of the base by loosening a twist lockon the base to allow the user to raise the height of the base; andlowering the height of the base by loosening the twist lock on the baseto allow the user to lower the height of the base.
 51. The methodaccording to claim 50, wherein, the base includes a first and secondbase leg, each of the base legs including the twist lock, a first outertube and a first inner tube, and a spring coupled between the firstouter tube and the first inner tube, and wherein the steps of raisingand lowering the height of the base comprises: raising the inner tube upin relation to the outer tube via an expansion force provided by thespring; and lowering the inner tube in relation to outer tube bypreventing the inner tube from dropping via the expansion force providedby the spring.
 52. The method according to claim 39, further comprising:lifting an adjustable stabilizing armature that is coupled to the standagainst an underside of an object, thereby providing a wedging forcesuch that the stand is substantially stable and substantially incapableof tipping, leaning or swaying with the viewable object mounted on themounting platform.
 53. A method of using a stand to hold and view aviewable object, wherein the stand comprises a base, a generallyx-shaped mounting platform that includes a plurality of slots andclamps, the clamps including locking levers with rollers, the standfurther comprising a mounting platform coupler, the method comprising:adjusting a height of the base; coupling the generally x-shaped mountingplatform to the base; positioning the viewable object onto the generallyx-shaped mounting platform; clamping the viewable object onto themounting platform with the clamps; adjusting a viewing angle of themounting platform with respect to the user using the mounting platformcoupler; and moving a first portion of the viewable object from a firstand second clamp to a third and fourth clamp by rolling the firstportion out from under the first and second clamp and inserting androlling the first portion under the third and fourth clamps, such that asecond and subsequent portions of the viewable object can now be viewed,and wherein the second and subsequent portions of the viewable objectand the viewable object remains substantially undisturbed while thefirst portion is being moved.
 54. The method according to claim 53,further comprising: isolating a user selected portion of the viewableobject with a removable strap attached to the generally x-shapedmounting platform.
 55. The method according to claim 53, furthercomprising: adjusting a width of the stand.
 56. The method according toclaim 53, wherein the user is substantially supine.
 57. The standaccording to claim 53, wherein each roller comprises a substantiallyspherical ball rotationally attached to the respective locking lever.58. The method according to claim 53, wherein each roller comprises asubstantially cylindrical rolling cylinder rotationally attached to therespective locking lever.
 59. The method according to claim 53, whereinthe roller comprises a frictionally reduced surface attached to therespective locking lever.
 60. The method according to claim 53, furthercomprising: segregating a user selectable portion of the viewable objectwith a removable strap attached to the mounting platform.
 61. The methodaccording to claim 60, wherein the viewable object comprises a book, andthe user selectable portion comprises at least one page of the book. 62.The method according to claim 53, wherein the viewable object comprisesa laptop, wherein the step of moving a first portion is not performed,and wherein the method further comprises: adjusting the position of oneor more of the clamps within their respective slots to allow a user toaccommodate a plurality of different sized laptops.
 63. The methodaccording to claims 53 further comprising: adjusting the position of oneor more of the clamps within their respective slots to allow a user toaccommodate a plurality of different sized books.
 64. The methodaccording to claim 53, wherein the step of adjusting the height of thebase comprises: raising the height of the base by loosening a twist lockon the base to allow the user to raise the height of the base; andlowering the height of the base by loosening the twist lock on the baseto allow the user to lower the height of the base.
 65. The methodaccording to claim 64, wherein the base includes a first and second baseleg, each of the base legs including the twist lock, a first outer tubeand a first inner tube, and a spring coupled between the first outertube and the first inner tube, and wherein the steps of raising andlowering the height of the base comprises: raising the inner tube up inrelation to the outer tube via an expansion force provided by thespring; and lowering the inner tube in relation to outer tube bypreventing the inner tube from dropping via the expansion force providedby the spring.
 66. The method according to claim 53, further comprising:lifting an adjustable stabilizing armature that is coupled to the standagainst an underside of an object, thereby providing a wedging forcesuch that the stand is substantially stable and substantially incapableof tipping, leaning or swaying with the viewable object mounted on themounting platform.